Iraq anticorruption body says 21 arrested over illegal collection near oil refineries

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Commission on Integrity said it dismantled a 21-person network that illegally collected payments near major oil refineries in the country. According to the commission, the suspects had been carrying out unlawful financial transactions around the refineries, and their identities were identified individually during the investigation. The commission stated that legal proceedings have been initiated against those detained. It described the operation as part of a broader inquiry into illicit collection activities that had persisted for an extended period in the vicinity of oil facilities. The agency said such networks around refineries pose a direct threat to energy infrastructure security and to state economic interests. It added that monitoring of financial irregularities in the oil sector would continue to safeguard public revenues. Officials said inspections against similar activity would be expanded and that further operations were planned. No additional details were immediately available.